The prediction Tiger Woods made about ‘remarkable’ Tony Finau after the final round of the 2019 Masters

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Given the significance of the 2019 Masters, golf fans would be forgiven for forgetting that Tiger Woods was playing alongside Francesco Molinari and Tony Finau for the final round on his way to winning a fifth green jacket at Augusta National.

Of course, all of the focus was on Tiger Woods. He began the day in a tie for second, two shots back of the lead. But it was the fan favourite who emerged from the pack as the rest of the top of the leaderboard seemed reluctant to get themselves across the line.

It may have, at times, seemed like Woods was the only man out on the course. But there was only three shots between the top 11 names on the leaderboard. And one of those who was in contention was Tony Finau, with the American finishing in a tie for fifth.

Finau had brought himself right back into contention with a stunning 64 on Saturday. In fact, he was one shot away from tying the course record at Augusta National.

What Tiger Woods said about Tony Finau after winning the 2019 Masters

And after the final round, Woods explained how impressed he has been with Finau – going on to make an optimistic prediction about his future.

“I mean, God, he hits it long. I mean, he makes a little half‑swing, and still hits the ball out there 310, 320 in the air. It’s just remarkable,” he said.

“You know, it helps that your ankle’s not dislocated, either. He’s able to walk around there and hit good shots. Tony’s made some leaps in the last couple years. He’s starting to piece together a game that’s going to contend week‑in and week‑out. He shows it every now and again but it’s getting more consistent. He’s learning what to do and what not to do strategically. 

“So you can see the mind working out there. It wasn’t like when he was younger, just go ahead and pound it out there. He’s starting to figure out shots and shapes and he’s starting to figure out how to play, and it’s only going to get better. With that length, it’s such an asset, especially in today’s game, that he’ll win multiple tournaments, and I’m sure a major championship is definitely in his future.”

How many PGA Tour wins Finau now has as wait for first major continues

Finau has not exactly been an overnight success. He went into the 2019 Masters with just one PGA Tour win under his belt – at the 2016 Puerto Rico Open – and he would not win again until 2021.

He is still awaiting that first major, but the 35-year-old won the Northern Trust Open in 2021, while he secured three victories in 2022. His most recent win came at the 2023 Mexico Open.

Finau has been one of the stalwarts of the PGA Tour for a number of years. But perhaps there is a question mark over where his future lies, with YouTuber Mr Short Game claiming that a source has told him that Finau has agreed to join LIV Golf.

Joining LIV has not prevented the likes of Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau from winning majors. But Jon Rahm is yet to be vindicated for making the switch after an underwhelming 2024 in the majors. So it is still not entirely clear whether playing a LIV schedule improves or hurts a player’s chances of winning one of the sport’s four biggest events.